Dozens of vehicles have been stranded at Ghurmi as truckers have prevented vehicles from plying on the Siddhicharan Highway.[break]
Upin Kumar Rai, vice president of Transport Entrepreneurs´ Association, Khotang, said, the vehicles are lying stranded at the bank of Sunkoshi River for the last three days as the operator of ferry is not allowing the vehicles to cross the river. Rai also accused the Katari-based Om Halesi Truck Entrepreneurs´ Association of taking the road under its control by enforcing the syndicate system.
“The truckers´ association has been enforcing syndicate system on the highway. This goes against the government ban all forms of transport syndicates,” Rai added.
Local administrations of Okhaldhunga and Khotang and traders in the two districts had decided to ban transport syndicate system a week ago, following a lengthy protest.
The imposition of syndicate system has triggered shortage of essential commodities in Khotang district, leading to price hike. According to Khotang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, price of food commodities has increased by at least Rs 5 per kg.
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